An Effort in Facilitation

Excellence of the Day of Arafah

The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the Day of ’Arafah, since it is on this Day the pilgrims gather at the mountain plain of ’Arafah, praying and supplicating to their Lord. In fact, one hadeeth says that ‘Hajj is Arafah’. This means Arafah is the sum and substance of Hajj.

* Yaumul Arafah is also significant because this amazing ayah was revealed on this day:

….This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion….(Surah al Maa’idah 5:3)

As per the above ayah, Arafah was the Day on which Allah perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (sal-lal-laahu-alaihi-wa-sallam), and approved Islam as a way of life!

“Imam Ahmad recorded that Tariq bin Shihab said, “A Jewish man said to `Umar bin Al-Khattab, `O Leader of the Believers! There is a verse in your Book, which is read by all of you (Muslims), and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day (on which it was revealed) as a day of celebration.’ `Umar bin Al-Khattab asked, `Which is that verse?’ The Jew replied: الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا

`Umar replied, `By Allah! I know when and where this verse was revealed to Allah’s Messenger . It was the evening on the Day of `Arafah on a Friday.”

Subhanallaah!

* Yaumul Arafah is also significant because Allah swore by this Day in Surah al Burooj. And, you know Allah swears by nothing except that which is great and mighty! So the Day of Arafah is great significant:

“By the sky containing great stars.

And [by] the promised Day.

And [by] the witness and what is witnessed” (Surah al Burooj 85: 1-3)

It was reported from Abu Hurayrah (radhiyallaahu anhu) that the Prophet (sal-lal-laahu-aalihi-wa-sallam) said: “The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the Day of ‘Arafaah, and the witnessing day is Friday.” (Narrated by at-Tirmidhi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.

* It is mustahabb (highly recommended) for those who are not pilgrims to fast on this day, since the Prophet (sal-lal-laahu-aalihi-wa-sallam) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah, so he said:

“It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” (Related by Muslim, Hadeeth no. 1162)

* Likewise, the Prophet (sal-lal-laahu-aalihi-wa-sallam) said:

‘There is no day on which Allaah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ’Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ’Arafah), and then He reveals before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.” (Related by Muslim, Hadeeth no. 1348)

Imam at-Tirmidhee – rahimahullaah – said, “The People of Knowledge consider it recommended to fast on the day of ’Arafah, except for those at ’Arafah.” (Tirmidhee: 3/377)

Wa iyyaakki, dear Sis.
Thank you for your concern for being different and distinguished from others.
Regarding the hadeeth on the fasting of Arafah, it is sunnah to fast on all the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah.
I think the practice you are referring to is related to the fast of Aashura, that is 10th of Muharram wherein it is recommended to fast either on 9th and 10th or 10 and 11th to be distinguished from Jewish community.
Thank you so much for taking time to comment. Jazakillah Khayra.
PS: Some hadeeth references here, Inshaa’Allah:https://yassarnalquran.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/virtues-of-the-first-ten-days-of-dhul-hijjah/#more-1372